The ANC Women’s League has expressed outrage over the alleged abuse faced by women working at the Kopanong Gold Mine in Viljoenskroon, Free State.
Sunday World previously reported that female workers at the mine are allegedly forced to strip naked during security checks, where guards would also search inside their private parts for potentially stolen gold.
Nokuthula Nqaba, ANCWL secretary-general, described the alleged conduct as inhumane and an infringement on their rights.
This method, which is akin to the tausa dance, used to be applied by prison warders against black inmates during apartheid.
Those who refuse face disciplinary action
She explained that women who refused to take off their underwear would be subject to a written warning or suspension.
“Female workers are forced to strip down to their underwear and subjected to some form of ‘body inspection’ that violates their privacy. ‘[The guards] look inside our private parts if they can find something there’, alleged a female employee who got suspended for refusing to be stripped naked,” said Nqaba.
She said these acts violate legal protections, including the Basic Conditions of Employment Act. As well as the Constitution’s guarantee of human dignity.
Painful reminder of SA’s past
Nqaba said these practices are a painful reminder of South Africa’s past. They are an insult to the progress made since the end of apartheid.
“Incidents such as these are an indictment of our hard-earned democracy. They undermine the advances we have made as a nation in restoring the dignity of all our people. We fought so hard to do away with the demeaning culture that was institutionalised under apartheid,” said Nqaba.
She highlighted that the ANCWL’s broader mission is to fight all forms of discrimination and patriarchy. This in both public and private institutions.
Call for department to intervene
She called on the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) and other bodies to urgently investigate the claims and take action.
Meanwhile, Nqaba also condemned a violent attack against women in Richmond, KwaZulu-Natal. A man was arrested after allegedly assaulting a mother and violently attacking her daughter. The man also allegedly stabbed both their eyes with a screwdriver.
She praised the swift action by the police. Nqaba also commended Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu for visiting the family and supporting them during the court process.
